The hidden treasures of Western Sicily
Archaeological sites and great coastal scenery
Located on the south border of Europe, a few kilometres from Tunisia, the west side of Sicily offers a wonderful mix of nature, culture and history. You will discover the archaeological sites of Segesta and Selinunte, where temples, theatres and acropolis are evidence of all the ancient dominations. The excursions along the natural reserves of Zingaro e M.te Cofano, show the typical vegetation of the Mediterranean countryside in a wild environment surrounding by an extremely beautiful. We will visit the wild island of Levanzo, the narrow streets of Trapani, the local market in Mazara del Vallo and the "Tonnara di Scopello".
Highlights:
- Trapani and Mazara del Vallo.
- The archaeological sites of Selinunte and Segesta.
- The Natural Reserves of Zingaro, Monte Cofano and Levanzo
Highlights:
- Trapani and Mazara del Vallo.
- The archaeological sites of Selinunte and Segesta.
- The Natural Reserves of Zingaro, Monte Cofano and Levanzo
Day 1: Mazara del Vallo
Arrival at the airport of Trapani/Palermo and private transfer to Mazzara del Vallo, a little seaside town: the charming local market, he colourful ceramics that decorate the streets around the village, the incredible statue of "Satiro Danzante". Overnight stay in Mazzara del Vallo.
Day 2: Selinunte (4 hours hiking, +150 mt - 150 mt, 4 km)
Train or bus to Castelvetrano/Selinunte. The archaeological hiking of today will allow us to read another page of the domination of Sicily. Selinunte, first a Phoenician and then a Greek settlement, is the largest archaeological site in Europe. The great Acropolis facing the Mediterranean shows us the past glories of the Greeks. Free afternoon to discover the heritage of Mazara del Vallo. Overnight stay in B&B. Mazzara del Vallo.
Day 3: Trapani and Erice (2 hours hiking,– 650 mt, 6 km)
Train to Trapani and check in at hotel. Visit to the main monuments of the old town. In the afternoon excursion to Erice. Wandering through the narrow alleys and cobbled streets of Erice, returning to the medieval period when the town was founded. Impregnable because of being perched at 750 m above sea level, overlooking Trapani, the "Saline" of Paceco and the Aegadian islands from above. Overnight stay in Trapani.
Day 4: Levanzo (3h30 hiking,+ 200 – 200 mt, 13 km)
Hydrofoil to Levanzo. The smallest of the Egadi islands, Levanzo show us a jewel from the past: the "Cave of genovese" dated back to 11-12 thousand years ago, during the final phase of Palaeolithic. Primitive human messages etched into the cave, prehistoric sanctuary where religion and culture take their first steps between graffiti and rock paintings of men and animals, joined in an ancestral link. Hydrofoil back to Trapani and overnight stay in Trapani.
Day 5: M.te Pispina and Segesta (3h30 hiking + 300 mt – 300 mt, 9,50 km)
Train to Segesta. We walk in the gentle countryside of the Val d'Erice, exploring one of the most fascinating archaeological sites in Sicily: Segesta. The ancient city founded in the fourth century BC preserves the Doric Temple and the Theatre which opens onto the surrounding hills. The climb to the summit of Mt Pispina will permit to discover from the top the archaeological area, appreciating its size and the excellent preservation. After the hike, time to visit of the archaeological area. Train to Trapani. Overnight stay in Trapani.
Day 6: M.te Cofano (3h30 hiking + 250 – 250 mt, 8,50 km)
Private transfer to the fishing village of Cornino. The coastal path always close to the sea and protected from the mountain, goes into one of the richest colonies of the dwarf palm up to take us to the medieval control towers. The view goes on the board of San Vito Lo Capo and Aegadian islands. From the sea to the marble quarries, to the impressive cave "Mangiapane". Private transfer to Scopello. Overnight stay in Scopello.
Day 7: Zingaro Natural Reserve (5h hiking,+500 mt - 530 mt, 11,50 km)
We start walking from Scopello and we enter in the first nature reserve in Sicily: the Zingaro. Established in 1976, it is home to towering limestone mountains, interspersed by spectacular caves , a coastline dotted with coves and cliffs overlooking the sea . Overnight stay in Scopello.
Day 8: Departure
Private transfer to Trapani / Palermo airport.
Arrival at the airport of Trapani/Palermo and private transfer to Mazzara del Vallo, a little seaside town: the charming local market, he colourful ceramics that decorate the streets around the village, the incredible statue of "Satiro Danzante". Overnight stay in Mazzara del Vallo.
Day 2: Selinunte (4 hours hiking, +150 mt - 150 mt, 4 km)
Train or bus to Castelvetrano/Selinunte. The archaeological hiking of today will allow us to read another page of the domination of Sicily. Selinunte, first a Phoenician and then a Greek settlement, is the largest archaeological site in Europe. The great Acropolis facing the Mediterranean shows us the past glories of the Greeks. Free afternoon to discover the heritage of Mazara del Vallo. Overnight stay in B&B. Mazzara del Vallo.
Day 3: Trapani and Erice (2 hours hiking,– 650 mt, 6 km)
Train to Trapani and check in at hotel. Visit to the main monuments of the old town. In the afternoon excursion to Erice. Wandering through the narrow alleys and cobbled streets of Erice, returning to the medieval period when the town was founded. Impregnable because of being perched at 750 m above sea level, overlooking Trapani, the "Saline" of Paceco and the Aegadian islands from above. Overnight stay in Trapani.
Day 4: Levanzo (3h30 hiking,+ 200 – 200 mt, 13 km)
Hydrofoil to Levanzo. The smallest of the Egadi islands, Levanzo show us a jewel from the past: the "Cave of genovese" dated back to 11-12 thousand years ago, during the final phase of Palaeolithic. Primitive human messages etched into the cave, prehistoric sanctuary where religion and culture take their first steps between graffiti and rock paintings of men and animals, joined in an ancestral link. Hydrofoil back to Trapani and overnight stay in Trapani.
Day 5: M.te Pispina and Segesta (3h30 hiking + 300 mt – 300 mt, 9,50 km)
Train to Segesta. We walk in the gentle countryside of the Val d'Erice, exploring one of the most fascinating archaeological sites in Sicily: Segesta. The ancient city founded in the fourth century BC preserves the Doric Temple and the Theatre which opens onto the surrounding hills. The climb to the summit of Mt Pispina will permit to discover from the top the archaeological area, appreciating its size and the excellent preservation. After the hike, time to visit of the archaeological area. Train to Trapani. Overnight stay in Trapani.
Day 6: M.te Cofano (3h30 hiking + 250 – 250 mt, 8,50 km)
Private transfer to the fishing village of Cornino. The coastal path always close to the sea and protected from the mountain, goes into one of the richest colonies of the dwarf palm up to take us to the medieval control towers. The view goes on the board of San Vito Lo Capo and Aegadian islands. From the sea to the marble quarries, to the impressive cave "Mangiapane". Private transfer to Scopello. Overnight stay in Scopello.
Day 7: Zingaro Natural Reserve (5h hiking,+500 mt - 530 mt, 11,50 km)
We start walking from Scopello and we enter in the first nature reserve in Sicily: the Zingaro. Established in 1976, it is home to towering limestone mountains, interspersed by spectacular caves , a coastline dotted with coves and cliffs overlooking the sea . Overnight stay in Scopello.
Day 8: Departure
Private transfer to Trapani / Palermo airport.
Accommodation:
2 nights in B&B at Mazara del Vallo
3 nights in charming B&B at Trapani
2 nights in Hotel*** in Scopello
Included:
- Private Transfer days 1, 6 ,8
- Accommodation with breakfast in B&B and Hotel
- Maps and road book
- Assistance 24/24
Not included :
- Public transfer, hydrofoils and entrance fees at Segesta, Selinunte and Zingaro Natural Reserve
- Lunches, drinks and personal items
- Dinners
- Tourist taxes
- Everything not specified under the heading " included"
2 nights in B&B at Mazara del Vallo
3 nights in charming B&B at Trapani
2 nights in Hotel*** in Scopello
Included:
- Private Transfer days 1, 6 ,8
- Accommodation with breakfast in B&B and Hotel
- Maps and road book
- Assistance 24/24
Not included :
- Public transfer, hydrofoils and entrance fees at Segesta, Selinunte and Zingaro Natural Reserve
- Lunches, drinks and personal items
- Dinners
- Tourist taxes
- Everything not specified under the heading " included"
Trips Note
Destination: Sicily
Travel Style: Self-guided walking holiday
Interest: Beaches & Coastal hiking
Duration: 8 days / 7 nights
Departures: Mar Apr May Jun Jul Sep Oct
Group size: from 1 person
Airport: Trapani or Palermo
